Action to be taken against helmet rule violators effective Monday

Maldives Police Service (MPS) have revealed that action will be taken against those who travel on the Sinamale' Bridge and its link road without a helmet, effective from 12 am of April 1, Monday,

The use of a helmet on the Sinamale bridge became mandatory on March 10. The police have been checking if riders violate the rule at the Bridge entrance and Hulhumale' highway entry area. Although the use of helmet was made mandatory earlier, the police said they will not be fining violators until 1sst April in order to allow sufficient time for riders to procure suitable helmets that follow the helmet guideline. After midnight on Monday, the rule has now come into full effect, with violators to suffer consequences.

The usage of helmet on roads that allow speeds of more than 30 kilometers per hour is mandatory, including the ring road through which the Sinamale' bridge is accessible.

People on two-wheeled vehicles are required to wear helmets with chin straps that fits comfortably on the wearer's head. While both the driver and person on the backseat of motorcycles are required to wear helmets, the visors of the helmets should not be tinted in such way that the wearer is unidentifiable.

Starting from April 1, first-time offenders will be fined MVR 500, second-time offenders will be fined MVR 750, and a fine of MVR 1,000 will apply for each offense afterwards.

While reckless driving will be punishable with the suspension of the driver's license for a period of 1-2 years, if any harm is caused to another individual by a driver, the license of the guilty party will be suspended for a period of ten years.

There has been a significant and alarming increase of road accidents since the Sinamale' bridge opened to the public late last year. The enforcement of the new regulation is designed for the safety of all using the roads.